Reclining chair and leg-rest control arrangement



y 4, 1964 F F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,140,893

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 26, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 F/ G. If

y 1964 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,140,893

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST CQNTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 26, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A-DL+ 1w y 1954 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,140,393

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 26, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m m m w.

rron 75 2 y 1964 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,140,893

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 26, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. fW DIJOF f- :(M li /meme- United States Patent 3,14%,893 RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST CONTRGL ARRANGEMENT Fridtjof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla. Filed Aug. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 836,265 11 Claims. (Cl. 297-85) The present invention relates generally to a reclining chair, and in particular to the novel and improved legrest and control arrangement for such reclining chair. Advantageously, the present leg-rest mounting and control arrangement finds useful application in reclining chairs of modern styling having a relatively open frame and an underslung leg-rest.

The usual reclining chair comprises a support, bodysupporting means having a back-rest and seat mounted on a support for rearward movement into various resting or relaxation positions, and a leg-rest mounted for movement into variou elevated leg-supporting positions as a function of the movement of the body-supporting means. Recent styling developments in such reclining chairs make it preferable that the frame thereof have relatively high legs and an open unobstructed region beneath the body-supporting means thereof and that the chair incorporate an underslung leg-rest normally stored beneath the seat and concealed such that the chair will have a well-styled, modern appearance, During use of such chairs, the underslung leg-rest swings from its retracted, stored and concealed position beneath the forward portion of the seat to an extended and elevating leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat, with the leg-rest swinging downwardly and forwardly and then upwardly and outwardly, turning substantially from end to end during such movement. Practical problems are presented in achieving the movement of the leg-rest in that there is a limited vertical clearance space between the seat and floor surface as established by proper chair design, it is of course being essential that the leg-rest not strike or scrape the floor surface during its movement. A structural requirement is that the leg-rest have a clearance of at least one inch above the lower end of the chair leg during movement in order to ensure that the leg-rest will not strike the floor surface or rug beneath the chair. These design considerations should be realized in an environment providing adequate support for the legs of the chair occupant and sufficient extension of the leg-rest such that the leg-rest is properly spaced from the seat and to support the legs of relatively tall persons.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest mounting and control arrangement for reclining chairs which obviate one or more of the aforesaid difficulties. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest and control linkage wherein the extension of the leg-rest is initially delayed as the bodysupporting means moves relative to the support such that sufficient clearance is provided to enable the leg-rest to be swung to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position. Advantageously, my improved leg-rest control linkage finds particular application in reclining chairs of the type including an underslung leg-rest wherein it is virtually necessary to turn the leg-rest through 180 or end to end during movement from its retracted stored position beneath the forward portion of the seat to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chair which comprises a support and body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on a support. Disposed be 3,140,893 Patented July 14, 1964 ICC neath the forward portion of the seat is a leg-rest which is mounted for movement from its stored position to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of the body-supporting means relative to the support by a leg-rest mounting linkage which includes at least one pair of crossing links and means mounting one of the crossing links at a pivotal mount on the seat. Operatively connected between the crossing links is a lost motion means which includes a guideway and a pin engaged within the guideway. The pin is disposed at the end of the guideway remote from the pivotal mount in the stored position of the leg-rest but is capable of translating along the guideway toward the pivotal mount. Means are operatively connected to the lost motion means and are operable in response to movement of the leg-rest from the stored position to the elevated leg-supporting position to displace the pin along the guideway toward the pivotal mount. With such leg-rest mounting linkage, the movement of the leg-rest from its stored position is delayed such that sufficient clearance is provided to enable the leg-rest to be turned and moved to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position. The action is such that the forward portion of the seat rises and inclines in amount sutiicient to provide the necessary clearance for the movement of the leg-rest; and during such initial rising movement of the forward portion of the seat, the leg-rest moves predominantly forwardly.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of several presently preferred, but illustrative embodiments according to the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of an improved reclining chair embodying a leg-rest mounting and control arrangement according to the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair and the leg-rest at an intermediate position, with the leg-rest having moved through a predominantly forward thrust and the seat of the body-supporting unit having been raised sufficiently to provide the requisite clearance for the movement of the leg-rest;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in a tilted resting position, with the leg-rest moved to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of an improved reclining chair embodying a further leg-rest mounting and control arrangement according to the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in a tilted resting position, with the leg-rest moved to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of an improved reclining chair embodying a still further leg-rest mounting and control arrangement according to the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the chair in a tilted resting position with the leg-rest moved to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of an improved reclining chair embodying a still further leg-rest mounting and control arrangement according to the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position; and,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational View similar to FIG. 8 but showing the chair in a tilted resting position, with the leg-rest moved to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position.

Although the several illustrative embodiments which will now be described relate particularly to reclining chairs of the type having a rigid or unitary body-supporting unit, it will be appreciated that the present invention finds application in chairs of the type including a movable seat and movable back-rest. Further, although the illustrative embodiments deal specifically with chairs having but a single movement phase, with the chair moving from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position, it will also be appreciated that the invention finds useful application in chairs of the multiple movement type, including two-position chairs having a unitary seat and back-rest and double movement chairs having a movable seat and movable back-rest.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, gen erally designated by the reference numeral it), which comprises a support or frame 12 having rnovably mounted thereon a rigid or unitary body-supporting unit 14 including a back-rest 16 and seat 18. The support or frame 12 includes open opposite side frames 26) each of which includes a side rail 22 interconnected by one or more cross braces 24 and supported by depending legs 26. The legs are tapered in accordance with modern styling and are relatively high and narrow to provide a large unencumbered space beneath the seat 18 and the frame side rails 22.

In accordance with styling requirements, a leg-rest 28 is disposed beneath the seat 18 in a retracted or underslung stored position. As seen in FIG. 1 the leg-rest 28 is normally stored with its leg-supporting surface 28a facing the floor and disposed above the level of the lower edge frame side rails 22, with the leg-rest extending substantially horizontally and rearwardly from a front or forward edge 28b to a back or rearward edge 280. The vertical extent of the side rails or panels 22 is sufiicient to hide the leg-rest 28 and its mounting linkage, or in the alternative the open side frames 20 may be filled in or upholstered in accordance with techniques which are generally understood.

The leg-rest 28 is mounted for movement from the underslung position shown in FIG. 1 to an extended and elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 3 by a leg-rest mounting linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is effective to turn the legrest 28 virtually end for end, with the leg-rest moving through a predominantly forward thrust during an initial portion of its movement, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2. In the stored or retracted position of the leg-rest 28, the leg-rest mounting linkage 30 is collapsed to a very compact condition in which the links thereof are closely folded intermediate the leg-rest 28 and the seat 18, as seen in FIG. 1. In order to bring the leg-rest to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 3, the leg-rest moves downwardly and forwardly through the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2 wherein the rearward end 28c of the leg-rest 28 approaches the floor, with the leg-supporting surface 28a extending substantially vertically. In such intermediate position, it is essential that the legrest have sufficient clearance relative to the floor to preclude striking or scraping the floor; and at the same time the leg-rest must be of sufiicient extent from its front to rear edges to provide an adequate support for the legs of the chair occupant. The requisite mounting and extension of the leg-rest 28 is achieved by the leg-rest mounting linkage 30 which includes a first pair of links 32, 34 having a pivotal connection 36 intermediate their adjacent ends and a second pair of links 38, 46 having a pivotal connection 42 intermediate their adjacent ends. The link 32 of the first link pair 32, 34 has a pivotal mount 4-4 at its upper end on the seat 18, while the other link 34 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection 46 to the leg-rest 28 at a point spaced rearwardly of the forward edge thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, the link 38 of the second link pair 38, 40 has a pivotal mount 48 at its upper end on the seat 18 at a point spaced rearwardly of the first pivotal mount 44, while the other link 40 of the second link pair 38, 40 has a pivotal c0nnection 50 at its forward end to the leg-rest 28 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 46 and adjacent the forward or front edge 28b of the leg-rest 28.

The first and second link pairs 32, 34 and 38, 40 are coordinated by a lost motion interconnection between the link 32 of the first link pair and the link 40 of the second link pair, which lost motion interconnection includes an elongated guideway or slot 52 formed in the link 32 and a pin 54 fixed to the link 40 and engaged within the guideway or slot 52. The pin 54 of the lost motion interconnection 52, 54 is disposed at the rearward and lower end of the slot or guideway 52 in the stored position of the leg-rest 28 as seen in FIG. 1, with the pin 54 being capable of translating along the slot or guideway toward the pivotal mount 44 of the link 32 in response to the movement of the body-supporting unit 14 relative to the support 12, as will subsequently be described.

In this illustrative embodiment the link 38 of the second link pair 38, 48 of the leg-rest mounting linkage St) is pivotally mounted intermediate its end on a bracket 56 fixed to the adjacent open side frame at a stationary pivotal mount 58. The arm or portion 33a of the link on double-arm lever 38 provides a front guiding link for the body-supporting unit 14. The mounting of the body-supporting unit 14 on the support 12 is completed by the provision of a rear guiding link 60 which has a stationary pivotal mount 62 on the support 12 at its lower end and a pivotal connection 64 at its upper end to the body-supporting unit 14. The arm 38a and the rear guiding link 60 will be recognized as pro viding a four-bar guiding linkage for the body-supporting unit wherein the arm 38a, the seat 18 intermediate the pivotal connections 48, 64, and the rear guiding link 60 serve as movable links thereof and the support intermediate the stationary pivotal mounts 58, 62 serve as the stationary link thereof. As the chair occupant leans against the body-supporting unit and pushes rearwardly, the arm 38a of the four-bar guiding linkage will turn in the clockwise direction about the pivotal mount 58, with the arm 38b swinging through a forward arc in a clockwise direction for actuating the leg-rest mounting linkage 30.

The leg-rest mounting linkage 30 is completed by a propelling or constraining link 66 which in this illustrative embodiment has a pivotal connection 68 at its lower and rearward end to the link 40 of the second link pair 38, 40 at a point intermediate the pin 54 and the pivotal connection 42 and a pivotal connection 70 at its upper and forward end to the seat 18 at a point intermediate pivotal mounts 44, 48. The constraining or propelling link 66 is of an effective length intermediate the pivots 68, 70 which is somewhat shorter than the spacing between the pin 54 of the lost motion interconnection 52, 54 and the pivotal mount 44 when the leg-rest mounting linkage 30 is collapsed and the leg rest 28 is in the stored position of FIG. 1. The forward turning movement of the constraining or propelling link 66 about the pivotal connection 70 is effective to translate the pin 54 along the slot or guideway 52 toward the pivotal mount 44.

Appropriate stops are arranged to establish the up right sitting position for the chair illustrated in FIG. 1 and the tilted resting position illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the body-supporting unit 14 rests upon one of the intermediate cross braces 24 to establish the sitting position shown in FIG. 1 and the lower portion of the back-rest 16 of the body-supporting unit 14 con tacts the rear cross brace to establish the tilted resting position shown in FIG. 3.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations in accordance with this embodiment:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair in the sitting position illustrated in FIG. 1 and presses rear wardly, the body-supporting unit 14 moves rearwardly to the tilted position illustrated in FIG. 3, being guided during such movement by the four-bar main guiding linkage. The pivots 44, 48 and 74 of the leg-rest mount ing linkage 319 on the seat 13 move rearwardly relative to the stationary pivotal mount 58, with the double-arm lever 38 turning about the pivotal mount 58 to actuate the leg-rest mounting linkage 3t). Incident to the turning of the lever 38, there will be a tendency for the pivotal connection 54 to move forwardly in the guideway 52 and toward the pivotal mount 44, accompanied by turning movement of the crossing links 32, 4t) relative to each other. Simultaneously, the constraining or propelling link 66, which turns forwardly about the pivotal connection 71) on the seat, displaces the pin 54 of the lost motion means 52, 54 through a lost motion stroke along the slot 52 in the link 32 toward the pivotal mount 44, with the pin moving from a seated position at the rearward or lower end of the slot 52 as shown in FIG. 1, through an intermediate position as shown in FIG. 2 and toward a seated position at the forward or upward end of the slot 52 in the tilted-back position of FIG. 3. Simultaneous turning of the crossing links 32, 40 relative to each other is effective to move the legrest 28 through a predominantly forward thrust, with the leg-rest turning end for end, as may be appreciated by inspecting the sitting and tilted resting ositions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively. As the leg-rest moves through the intermediate position shown-in FIG. 2 wherein the leg-rest approaches a vertical attitude forwardly of the chair and most closely approaches the floor, the seat 18 has been elevated with respect to the support and inclined in an amount sufiicient to provide clearance for the leg-rest thereby avoiding the possibility of the rearward end 28c of the leg-rest 28 hitting or scraping the floor incident to the actuation thereof.

It will thus be appreciated that the leg-rest may be of a comparatively long length from front to rear, yet be stored in the required underslung position and actuated in a manner compatible with the physical environment established as a standard for this type of reclining chair. At the end of the rearward or tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 14, the leg-rest has turned approxi mately through 180 and arrives at the requisite legsupporting position forwardly of the seat, with the pin 54 of the lost motion means being at the upper end of the slot or guideway 52 and close to the pivotal mount 44. When the chair occupant desires to restore the chair to the upright sitting position, the occupant need only exert a slight downward pressure on the extended leg-rest 28, whereupon a reverse action of the legrest mounting linkage 30 occurs with the leg-rest being restored to the underslung or retracted position illustrated in FIG. 1. During such reverse movement, the propelling or constraining link 66 urges the pin 54 downwardly and rearwardly along the slot 52 of the lost motion means 52, 54, with the leg-rest moving through an intermediate position shown in FIG. 2 and being finally restored to the underslung position shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is shown a further embodiment of reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 110, which comprises a support or frame 112 having mounted thereon a rigid or unitary body-supporting unit 114 including a back-rest 116 and a seat 118. The support or frame 112 includes open opposite side frames 120 each of which includes a side rail 122 interconnected by one or more cross braces 124 and supported on depending legs 126.

A leg-rest 128 is disposed beneath the seat in a retracted or underslung stored position. As seen in FIG. 4 the leg-rest 128 is normally stored with its leg-supporting surface 128a facing the floor and disposed above the level of the frame side rails 122, with the leg-rest extending substantially horizontally and rearwardly from a front or forward edge to a back or rearward edge. The vertical extent of the side rails or panels 122 is sufficient to hide the leg-rest 128 and its mounting linkage or in the alternative the open side frames 126 may be filled in or upholstered.

The leg-rest 128 is mounted for movement from the stored underslung position shown in FIG. 4 to an extended and elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 5 by a leg-rest mounting linkage 130 which. is effective to turn the leg-rest 128 end for end. In the stored or retracted position, the leg-rest mounting linkage 130 is collapsed to a very compact condition in which the links thereof are closely folded intermediate the leg-rest 128 and the seat 118, as seen in FIG. 4. The leg-rest mounting linkage 130 includes a first pair of links 132, 134 having a pivotal connection 136 intermediatetheir adjacent ends and a second pair of links 138, 146) having a pivotal connection 142 intermediate their adjacent ends. The link 132 of the first link pair 132, 134 has a pivotal mount 144 at its upper end on the seat 118, while the link 134 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection to the leg-rest 128 at a point spaced rearwardly of the forward end or edge thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, the link 138 of the second link pair 138, 140 has a pivotal mount 143 at its upper end on the bracket 156 fixed to the support 112 at a point spaced rearwardly of the first pivotal mount 144 while the link 140 of the second link pair 138, 141) has a pivotal connection at its forward end to the leg-rest 128 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 146, when the chair 110 is in the position of FIG. 4, and adjacent the forward or front end or edge of the leg-rest 128.

The first and second link pairs 132, 134 and 138, 140 are coordinated by a lost motion interconnection between the link 132 of the first link pair and the link 140 of the second link pair, which lost motion interconnection includes an elongated guideway or slot 152 formed in the link 132 and a pin 154 fixed to the link 140 and engaged within the guideway or slot 152. The pin 154 of the lost motion interconnection 152154 is disposed at the rearward and lower end of the slot or guideway 152 in the stored position of the leg-rest 128 as seen in FIG. 4, with the pin 154 being capable of translating along the slot or guideway toward the pivotal mount 144 of the link 130 in response to the movement of the body-supporting unit 114 relative to the support 112.

In this illustrative embodiment, the leg-rest mounting linkage 130 includes a guiding link 155 having a pivotal mount 157 at one end on the bracket 156 and a pivotal connection 159 to the link 132 of the first link pair 132, 134 at a point spaced from the pivotal mount 144. The arm or portion 132a of the link 132 with the link 155 provides a front guiding linkage for the body-supporting unit 114. The mounting of the body-supporting unit 114 on the support 112 is completed by the provision of a rear guiding link 1619 which has a stationary pivotal mount 162 on the support 112 at its lower end and a pivotal connection M4 at its upper end to the body-supporting unit 114. The link 155, the arm 132a and the rear guiding link 160 will be recognized as providing a guiding linkage for the body-supporting unit wherein the link 155, the arm 132a, the seat intermediate the pivotal connections 144, 164, and the rear guiding link 160 serve as movable links thereof and the support intermediate the stationary pivotal mounts 157, 162 serve as the stationary link thereof. As the chair occupant leans against the body-supporting unit 114 and pushes rearwardly, the arm 132a will turn in the clockwise direction about the pivotal connection 159 and translate upwardly, with the arm 13212 swinging through a forward arc in the clockwise direction for actuating leg-rest mounting linkage 131).

The leg-rest mounting linkage 131i is completed by a propelling or constraining link 166 which in this illustrative embodiment has a pivotal connection 168 at its lower and rearward end to the link 1449 of the second link pair 138, 149 at a point intermediate the pin 154 and the pivotal connection 142 and a pivotal connection 170 at its upper and forward end to the bracket 156 at a point forwardly of the pivotal mount 148. The constraining or propelling link 166 is of an effective length intermediate the pivots 168, 170 which is somewhat shorter than the spacing between the pin 154 of the lost motion interconnection 152, 154 and the pivotal mount 144 when the leg-rest mounting linkage 130 is collapsed and the legrest 128 is in the stored position of FIG. 4 such that the forward turning movement of the constraining or propelling link 166 about the pivotal connection 176 is effective to displace the pin 154 along the slot or guideway 152 toward the pivotal mount 144.

Appropriate stops are arranged to establish the upright sitting position for the chair illustrated in FIG. 4 and the tilted relaxation position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the body-supporting unit 114 rests upon one of the intermediate cross braces to establish the sitting position and the lower portion of the back-rest 116 of the body-supporting unit 114 contacts the rear cross brace 124 to establish the tilted back relaxation position for the chair shown in FIG. 5.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations in accordance with this embodiment:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair in the sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4 and presses back against the back-rest 116, the body-supporting unit 114 moves rearwardly toward the tilted position illustrated in FIG. 5. The pivot 144 of the leg-rest mounting linkage 130 on the seat 118 move rearwardly relative to the stationary pivotal mount 157, with the link or double-arm lever 132 turning about the pivotal connection 159 to actuate the leg-rest mounting linkage. Incident to the turning of the link or lever 132, there will be a tendency for the pivotal connection 142 to move toward the pivotal mount 144, with a corresponding turning movement of the crossing links 132, 140 relative to each other. Simultaneously, the constraining or propelling link 166 which turns about the pivotal mount 176 on the support displaces the pin 154 of the lost motion means 152, 154 through a lost motion stroke along the slot 152 in the link 132 toward the pivotal mount 144, with the pin moving from a seated position at the rearward end of the slot 152 as shown in FIG. 4, into a seated position at the forward or upward end of the slot 152 in the tilted back position of FIG. 5. At the end of the rearward or tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 114 the leg-rest 126 is turned approximately through 180 and arrives at the requisite elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat 118, with the pin 154 of the lost motion means being at the upper end of the slot or guideway 152 and closer to the pivotal mount 144. When the chair occupant desires to restore the chair to the upright or sitting position, the occupant need only exert a slight downward pressure on the extended and elevated leg-rest, whereupon a reverse action of the leg-rest mounting linkage occurs, with the leg-rest being restored to the underslung or retracted position illustrated in FIG. 4. During such reverse movement, the propelling or constraining link 166 urges the pin 154 downwardly and rearwardly along the slot 152 of the lost motion means 152, 154.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, there is shown a still further embodiment of reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 261 which comprises a support or frame 212 having mounted thereon a rigid or unitary body-supporting unit 214 including a back-rest 216 and a seat 218 The support or frame 212 includes open opposite side frames 220 each of which includes a side rail 222 interconnected by one or more cross braces 224 and supported on depending legs 226.

A leg-rest 228 is disposed beneath the seat in a retracted or underslung stored position as seen in FIG. 6. The leg-rest is normally stored with its leg-supporting surface 223a facing the fioor and disposed above the level of the frame side rails 222, with the leg-rest 228 extending substantially horizontally and rearwardly from a front or forward edge to a back or rearward edge.

The leg-rest 228 is mounted for movement from the underslung position shown in FIG. 6 to an extended and elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 7 by a legrest mounting linkage 23st The leg-rest mounting linkage 236 includes a first pair of links 232, 234 having a pivotal connection 236 intermediate their adjacent ends and a second pair of links 238, 246 having a pivotal connection 242 intermediate their adjacent ends. The link 232 of the first link pair 232, 234 has a pivotal mount 244 at its upper end on the seat 218, while the link 234 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection 246 to the legrest 228 at a point spaced rearwardly of the forward edge thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, the link 238 of the second link pair 238, 2419 has a pivotal mount 24% at its upper end on a front guide link 249 which has a pivotal mount 251 on a bracket 256 fixed to the support 212 and a pivotal connection 253 to the seat 218 at a point spaced rearwardly of the pivotal mount 244. The other link 240 of the second link pair 233, 241) has a pivotal connection 256 at its forward end to the leg-rest 228 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 246.

The first and second link pairs 232, 234 and 238, 240 are coordinated by a lost motion interconnection between the link 232 of the first link pair and the link 240 of the second link pair, which lost motion interconnection includes an elongated guideway or slot 252 formed in the link 232 and a pin 254 fixed to the link 24th and engaged within the guideway or slot 252. The pin 254 of the lost motion interconnection is disposed at the rearward and lower end of the slot or guideway 252 in the stored position of the leg-rest as seen in FIG. 6, with the pin 254 being capable of translating along the slot or guideway toward the pivotal mount 244 of the link 230 in response to the movement of the body-supporting unit 214 relative to the support 212. A guiding link 255 is provided which has a pivotal mount 257 on the bracket 256 fixed to the support and a pivotal connection 259 to the link 232 at a point spaced from the pivotal mount or connection 244 to the seat 218.

In this illustrative embodiment, the link 249 of the legrest mounting linkage 230 provides a front guiding link for the body-supporting unit 214. .The mounting of the body-supporting unit 214 on the support 212 is completed by the provision of a rear guiding link 260 which has a stationary pivotal mount 262 on the support 212 at its lower end and a pivotal connection 264 at its upper end to the body-supporting unit 214. The links 249, 260 will be recognized as providing a four-bar guiding linkage for the body-supporting unit wherein the front guide link 249, the seat intermediate the pivotal connections 253, 264 and the rear guiding link 266 serve as movable links thereof and the support intermediate the stationary pivotal mounts 251, 262 serve as the stationary link thereof.

The leg-rest mounting linkage 230 is completed by a propelling or constraining link 266 which in this illustrative embodiment has a pivotal connection 268 at its lower and rearward end to the link 246 of the second link pair 238, 246 at a point intermediate the pin 254 and the pivotal connection 242 and a pivotal connection 270 at its upper and forward end to the front guide link 249 at a point intermediate pivots 251, 253. The constraining or propelling link 266 is of an effective length intermediate the pivots 268, 270 which is somewhat shorter than the spacing between the pin 254 of the lost motion interconnection 252, 254 and the pivotal mount 244 when the leg-rest mounting linkage 23th is collapsed and the leg-rest 223 is in the stored position of FIG. 6 such that the forward turning movement of the constraining or propelling link 266 about the pivotal connection 27f, is elfective to displace the pin 254 along the slot or guideway 252 toward the pivotal mount 244.

in order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations in accordance with this embodiment:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair in the sitting position illustrated in FIG. 6 and presses back against the back-rest 216, the body-supporting unit 214 moves rearwardly to the tilted position illustrated in PEG. 7, being guided during such movement by the four-bar main guiding linkage which includes the front and rear guiding links 249, 264). As the front guiding link 249 turns about the pivotal mount 251 and the pivot 244 on the seat moves rearwardly relative to the pivotal mount 257, the link or double-arm lever 232 turns about the pivotal connection 259 to actuate the legrest mounting linkage 234). Simultaneously the constraining or propelling link 266, which turns about the pivotal connection 279 on the carrier link 249 displaces the pin 254 of the lost motion means 252, 254 through a lost motion stroke along the slot 252 in the link 232 toward the pivotal mount 244, with the pin moving from a seated position at the rearward end of the slot 252 as shown in FIG. 6 into a seated position at the forward or upward end of the slot 252 in the tilted back position of FIG. 7. At the end of the rearward or tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 214, the leg-rest 228 is turned end for end and arrives at the requisite leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat with the pin 254 of the lost motion connection being at the upper end of the slot or guideway 252 and closest to the pivotal mount 244. When the chair occupant desires to restore the chair to the upright or sitting position, the occupant need only exert a downward pressure on the extended leg-rest, whereupon a reverse action of the legrest mounting linkage occurs, with the leg-rest being restored to the underslung or retracted position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings, there is shown a still further embodiment of reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 32th, which comprises a support or frame 312 having mounted thereon a rigid or unitary body-supporting unit 314 including a back-rest 316 and a seat 318. The support or frame 312 includes open opposite side frames 32% each of which includes a side rail 322 interconnected by one or more cross-braces 324 and supported on depending legs 326.

A leg-rest 328 is mounted for movement from a stored or underslung position shown in FIG. 8 to an extended and elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 9 by a leg-rest mounting linkage 339. The leg-rest mounting linkage 33ft includes a first pair of links 332, 334 having a pivotal connection 336 intermediate their adjacent ends and a second pair of links 338, 340 having a pivotal connection 542 intermediate their adjacent ends. The link 332 of the first link pair 332, 334 has a pivotal mount 344 at its upper end on the seat 318, while the link 334 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection 346 to the leg-rest 328 at a point spaced rearwardly of the forward end thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, the link 338 of the second link pair has a pivotal mount 348 at its upper end on one arm 34% of a double arm front guide lever 349 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 356 at a pivotal mount 351 spaced rearwardly of the pivotal mount 344 while the other link 34E of the second link pair 338, 340 has a pivotal connection 355 at its forward end to the leg-rest 323 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 346 and adjacent the forward or front end or edge of the leg-rest 328.

The first and second link pairs 332, 334 and 338, 340 are coordinated by a lost motion interconnection between the link 332 of the first link pair and the link 34% of the second link pair which lost motion interconnection includes an elongated guideway or slot 352 formed in the link 332 and a pin 354- fixed to the link 34% and engaged within the guideway or slot 352. The pin 354- of the lost motion interconnection 352, 354 is disposed at the rearward and lower end of the slot or guideway 352 in the stored position of the leg-rest 323 as seen in FIG. 8, with the pin 354 being capable of translating along the slot or guideway toward the pivotal mount 344 of the link 33% in response to the movement of the body-supporting unit 314 relative to the support 312. An actuating link 355 is provided which has a pivotal mount 357 on the bracket 356 and a pivotal connection 359 to the link 332 at a point spaced from the pivotal mount 544 of the link 332.

In this illustrative embodiment, the arm or portion 345!) of the double-arm lever 3419 provides a front guiding link for the body-supporting unit 314. The mounting of the body-supporting unit 314 on the support 312 is completed by the provision of a rear guiding link 36% which has a stationary pivotal mount 352 on the support 312 at its lower end and a pivotal connection 3% at its upper end to the body-supporting unit 314. The arm 34% and the rear guiding link 3&2 will be recognized as providing a four-bar guiding linkage for the body-supporting unit wherein the arm 34%, the seat 318 intermediate the pivotal connection 353, 364, and the rear guiding link 360 serve as movable links thereof and the support intermediate the stationary pivotal mounts 351, 362 serve as the stationary link thereof. As the chair occupant leans against the body-supporting unit 314 and pushes rearwardly, the arm 349a of the four-bar guiding linkage will turn in the clockwise direction about the pivotal mount 351, with the arm 34% swinging through a forward arc in a clockwise direction for actuating the legrest mounting linkage 335.

The leg-rest mounting linkage 330 is completed by a propelling or constraining link 366 which in this illustrative embodiment has a pivotal connection 368 at its lower and rearward end to the link 34% of the second link pair 338, Sat) at a point intermediate the pin 354 and the pivotal connection 342 and a pivotal connection 370 at its upper and forward end to the arm 34% at a point intermediate the pivotal mount 351 and the pivotal connection 348. The constraining or propelling links 366 is of an effective length intermediate the pivots 368, 370 which is somewhat shorter than the spacing between the pin 354 of the lost motion interconnection 352, 354- and the pivotal mount 344 when the legt-rest mounting linkage 339 is collapsed and the leg-rest is in the stored position of FIG. 8 such that the forward turning movement of the constraining or propelling link 366 about the pivotal connection 37% is effective to move the pin 354 along the slot or guideway 352 toward the pivotal mount 344.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations in accordance with this embodiment:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair in the sitting position illustrated in FIG. 8 and presses back against the back-rest 316, the body-supporting unit 314 moves rearwardly to the tilted position illustrated in FIG. 9, being guided during such movement by the fourbar main guiding linkage which includes the arm 349a of the front guide lever 349 and the rear guiding link 360. The pivots 344, 353 of the leg-rest mounting linkage 330 on the seat 318 move rearwardly relative to the stationary pivotal mounts 357, 351 to actuate the leg-rest mounting linkage. Simultaneously, the constraining or propelling link 366 which turns about the pivotal connection 370 on the arm 34912 of the front guide lever 349 displaces the pin 354 of the lost motion means 352, 354 through a lost motion stroke along the slot 352 in the link 332 toward the pivotal mount 344, with the pin moving from a seated position at the rearward and lower end of the slot 352 as shown in FIG. 8, to a seated position at the forward and upward end of the slot 352 in the tilted-back position of FIG. 9. At the end of the rearward or tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 314, the leg-rest 328 is turned through 180 and arrives at the requisite leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat, with the pin 554 of the lost motion means being at the upper end of the slot or guideway 352 and closest to the pivotal mount 344. When the chair occupant desires to restore the chair to the upright or sitting position, the occupant need only exert a slight downward pressure on the extended leg rest, whereupon a reverse action of the leg-rest mounting linkage occurs, with the leg-rest being restored to the underslung or retracted position illustrated in FIG. 8.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent With the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What I claim is:

1. A leg-rest control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support member and body-supporting member including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support member, said arrangement com prising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said body-supporting member and to said support member for moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said bodysupporting member, said leg-rest mounting linkage including first and second pairs of pivotally connected links, means pivotally mounting said first pair of links at a first pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting said first pair of links to said leg-rest, means pivotally mounting said second pair of links at a second pivotal mount on one of said members, means pivotally connecting said second pair of links to said leg-rest, lost motion means interconnecting one link of said first pair of one link of said second pair and including a guideway and a pin engaged within said guideway, said pin being disposed at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount in said stored position and being disposed at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated legsupporting position, and propeller lirdr operatively connected at one end to said one link of said first pair and at the other end to said one of said members and operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

2. A leg-rest control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said second pivotal mount is on said support member.

3. A leg-rest control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said second pivotal mount is on said seat of said body-supporting member.

4. A leg-rest control arrangement according to claim 1 including a guiding link pivotally mounted on said support and pivotally connected to said seat at a pivotal connection serving as said second pivotal mount for said leg-rest mounting linkage, and means pivotally mounting l2 said one link of said second pair of links and said propeller link at separated points on said carrier link.

5. A leg-rest control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support and body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support, said arrangement comprising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said body-supporting means and to said support for moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting means, said leg rest mounting linkage including first and second pairs of pivotally connected links, means pivotally mounting said first pair of links at a first pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting said first pair of links to said leg-rest, means pivotally mounting said second pair of links at a second pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting said second pair of links to said leg-rest, lost motion means interconnecting one link of said first pair and one link or said second pair and including a guideway and a pin engaged within said guideway, said pin being disposed at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount in said stored position, and being disposed at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link operatively connected to said seat and said one link of said second pair and operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

6. A leg-rest control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support and body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support, said arrangement comprising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said body-supporting member and to said support member for moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting member, said leg-rest mounting linkage including first and second pairs of pivotally connected links, means pivotally mounting said first pair of links at a first pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting said first pair of links to said leg-rest, means pivotally mounting said second pair of links at a second pivotal mount on said support, means pivotally connecting said second pair of links to said leg-rest, lost motion means interconnecting one link of said first pair and one link of said second pair and including a guideway and a pin engaged within said guideway, said pin being disposed at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount in said stored position, and being disposed at the end of said guideway adajcent said first pivotal mount when said legrest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link operatively connected to said support and to said one link of said second pair and operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

7. A leg-rest control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support member and body-supporting member including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support member, said arrangement com prising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said body-supporting member and to said support member for moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated legsupporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting member, said leg-rest mounting linkage including first and second pairs of pivotally connected links, means pivotally mounting said first pair of links at a first pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting said first pair of links to said legrest, means including a carrier link pivotally connected to said support and seat and pivotally mounting said second pair of links at a second pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting said second pair of links to said leg-rest, lost motion means interconnecting one link of said first pair and one link of said second pair and including a guideway and a pin engaged within said guideway, said pin being disposed at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount in said stored position, and being disposed at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link operatively connected to said carrier link at one end and said one link of said second pair at the other end lost motion means and operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

8. A leg-rest control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support member and body-supporting member including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support member, said arrangement comprising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said body-supporting member and to said support member for moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting member, said leg-rest mounting linkage including first and second pairs of pivotally connected links, means pivotally mounting one link of said first pair of links at a first pivotal mount on said seat, means pivotally connecting the other link of said first pair to said leg-rest, means pivotally mounting one link of said second pair of links at second pivotal mount on one of said members, means pivotally connecting the other link of said second pair of links to said leg-rest, lost motion means interconnecting said one link of said first pair of links and said other link of said second pair of links and including a guideway on said one link of said first pair of links and a pin on said other link of said second pair of links engaged within said guideway, said pin being disposed at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount in said stored position and being disposed at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link pivotally mounted on said one member and operatively connected to said other link of said second pair of links and operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

9. In a reclining chair of the type including a support member and body-supporting means including a seat member movably mounted on said support member, the improvement comprising a leg-rest control arrangement comprising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said seat member and to said support member for moving said leg-rest from a substantially horizontal stored position under said bodysupporting means to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting means with respect to said support member, said leg-rest linkage comprising a first and second pair of pivotally interconnected links, said first pair being pivotally connected at one end at a first pivotal mount on said seat member and at the other end of said pair to said leg-rest, said second pair being pivotally connected at one end to said leg-rest at a point removed from the first pair interconnection with said leg-rest and at its other end to a pivotal mount on one of said members, lost motion means pivotally interconnecting one link of said first pair with one link of said second pair including a guideway formed in one link of said first pair and a pin carried by one link of said second pair engaged with said guideway, said pin being at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount on said seat when said leg-rest is in its stored position and being at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount on said seat when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link pivotally connected at one end to said pin-carrying link of said second pair and at the other end to the member to which said second pair is connected, said propeller link being operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

10. In a reclining chair of the type including a support and body-supporting means including a seat movably mounted on said support, the improvement comprising a leg-rest control arrangement comprising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said seat and to said support for moving said leg-rest from a substantially horizontal stored position under said body-supporting means to an elevated legsupporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting means with respect to said support, said leg-rest linkage comprising a first and second pair of pivotally interconnected links, said first pair being pivotally connected at one end at a first pivotal :mount on said seat and at the other end of said pair to said leg-rest, said second pair being pivotally connected at one end to said leg-rest at a point removed from the first pair interconnection with said leg-rest and at its other end to a second pivotal mount on said seat, lost motion means pivotally interconnecting one link of said first pair with one link of said second pair including a guideway formed in one link of said first pair and a pin carried by one link of said second pair engaged within said guideway, said pin being at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount on said seat when said leg-rest is in its stored position and being at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount on said seat when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link pivotally connected at one end .to said pin-carrying link of said second pair and at the other end to said seat at a point intermediate the first and second pivotal mounts on said seat, said propeller link being operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

11. In a reclining chair of the type including a support and body-supporting means including a seat movably mounted on said support, the improvement comprising a leg-rest control arrangement comprising a leg-rest, and a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest, to said seat member and to said support for moving said leg-rest from a substantially horizontal stored position under said body-supporting means to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting means with respect to said support, said leg-rest linkage comprising a first and second pair of pivotally interconnected links, said first pair being pivotally connected at one end at a first pivotal mount on said seat and at the other end of said pair to said legrest, said second pair being pivotally connected at one end to said leg-rest at a point removed from the first pair interconnection with said leg-rest and at its other end to a second pivotal mount on said support, lost motion means pivotally interconnecting one link of said. first pair with one link of said second pair including a guideway formed in one link of said first pair and a pin carried by one link of said second pair engaged within said guideway, said pin being at the end of said guideway remote from said first pivotal mount on said seat when said leg-rest is in its stored position and being at the end of said guideway adjacent said first pivotal mount on said seat when said leg-rest is moved to its elevated leg-supporting position, and a propeller link pivotally connected alone and to said pin-carrying link of said second pair andat the other end to said support at a point spaced from said second pivotal mount, said propeller link being operable in response to movement of said leg-rest from said stored position to said elevated leg-supporting position to displace said pin along said guideway toward said first pivotal mount.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,788,058 Luckhardt Apr. 9, 1957 16 Sehliephacke June 2, 1959 Sehliephacke June 30 1959 Schliephacke Sept. 29, 1959 Lorenz July 12, 1960 Schliephacke Nov. 22, 1960 Schliephacke Sept. 12, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 29, 1958 Great Britain Oct. 28, 1959 

1. A LEG-REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A RECLINING CHAIR OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A SUPPORT MEMBER AND BODY-SUPPORTING MEMBER INCLUDING A SEAT AND BACK-REST MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A LEG-REST, AND A LEG-REST MOUNTING LINKAGE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LEG-REST, TO SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEMBER AND TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID LEG-REST FROM A STORED POSITION TO AN ELEVATED LEG-SUPPORTING POSITION IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID BODYSUPPORTING MEMBER, SAID LEG-REST MOUNTING LINKAGE INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS OF PIVOTALLY CONNECTED LINKS, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID FIRST PAIR OF LINKS AT A FIRST PIVOTAL MOUNT ON SAID SEAT, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID FIRST PAIR OF LINKS TO SAID LEG-REST, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID SECOND PAIR OF LINKS AT A SECOND PIVOTAL MOUNT ON ONE OF SAID MEMBERS, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID SECOND PAIR OF LINKS TO SAID LEG-REST, LOST MOTION MEANS INTERCONNECTING ONE LINK OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF ONE LINK OF SAID SECOND PAIR AND INCLUDING A GUIDEWAY AND A PIN ENGAGED WITHIN SAID GUIDEWAY, SAID PIN BEING DISPOSED AT THE END OF SAID GUIDEWAY REMOTE FROM SAID FIRST PIVOTAL MOUNT IN SAID STORED POSITION AND BEING DISPOSED AT THE END OF SAID GUIDEWAY ADJACENT SAID FIRST PIVOTAL MOUNT WHEN SAID LEG-REST IS MOVED TO ITS ELEVATED LEGSUPPORTING POSITION, AND PROPELLER LINK OPERATIVELY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID ONE LINK OF SAID FIRST PAIR AND AT THE OTHER END TO SAID ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID LEG-REST FROM SAID STORED POSITION TO SAID ELEVATED LEG-SUPPORTING POSITION TO DISPLACE SAID PIN ALONG SAID GUIDEWAY TOWARD SAID FIRST PIVOTAL MOUNT. 